Category Archives: Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS JAM (and COVERED fun) THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 4th.

 

'archie' COVERED by alex robinson
'archie' COVERED by alex robinson

     In addition to a shorter jam this month, we will also be taking part in the http://coveredblog.blogspot.com/ project where an artist does a recreation of a comic cover. ANY comic cover, not just the “classics” like AMAZING FANTASY #15 or something.

        The guidelines are pretty simple to follow if you want to submit your cover to be posted on the Covered blog (http://www.robertgoodin.com/submission.html).

     Bring one(or more) of your favorite covers to redo, or to share with the group (yes, everyone gets their comics back).  Other comics will be there to parooze as well if you forget to bring one.  11×17 paper will also be provided, but feel free to bring any kind of drawing surface you prefer.

The Minneapolis Cartoonist Conspiracy meets at 6:30 until 10:00 the first Thursday of every month at Diamond’s Coffee Shoppe in Northeast.

Generally, we draw collaborative “jam” comics, socialize and drink caffeinated beverages. Afterwords, we often have uncaffeinated beverages somewhere else.

The meetings are open to anyone who wants to draw with us, and the results are posted here sooner or later (and sometimes even printed).

Diamond’s Coffee Shoppe
1618 Central Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bus info here.

Please spend some money at Diamond’s while you’re there, even if it is just a cuppa coffee… they are excellent hosts, and we wanna stay welcome there.

Big Time Attic

Big Time Attic hosts our monthly jam meetings at Diamond’s… they will be supplying us with a big old plate of pastries or something. Thanks fellas!

JAM THIS THURSDAY IN MINNEAPOLIS

This month we are not beholden to a particular theme since the Altered Esthetics theme of the month is RESIDENT ARTISTS. 

So, basically we have to do the best work we can. 

Or we can use the ultra-classy idea Kriske came up for when describing the cosplayers at the recent Microcon:   “UNDERGROUND F**K SOCIETY OF SUPER NERDS”

The Minneapolis Cartoonist Conspiracy meets at 6:30 until 10:00 the first Thursday of every month at Diamond’s Coffee Shoppe in Northeast.

Generally, we draw collaborative “jam” comics, socialize and drink caffeinated beverages. Afterwords, we often have uncaffeinated beverages somewhere else.

The meetings are open to anyone who wants to draw with us, and the results are posted here sooner or later (and sometimes even printed).

Diamond’s Coffee Shoppe
1618 Central Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bus info here.

Please spend some money at Diamond’s while you’re there, even if it is just a cuppa coffee… they are excellent hosts, and we wanna stay welcome there.

Big Time Attic

Big Time Attic hosts our monthly jam meetings at Diamond’s… they will be supplying us with a big old plate of pastries or something. Thanks fellas!

MICROCON This Sunday!!! (April 26th) Have a Blast and Help Len Wein!

MICROCON is this Sunday! Our good friends at the Midwest Comic Book Association always put on a great show, and are wonderful hosts to creators… as is true every year, you won’t want to miss it! Read more about MICROCON here.

Here is a banner you can put on your website or social networking page to help promote the event… and remember to tell your friends!

MCBA MICROCON COMIC BOOK PARTY
SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009 – 10AM TO 4PM

THE PROGRESS CENTER – ON THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS!

1621 Randall Avenue – Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108

One of the oldest and by far, coolest buildings on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds!

Directions: Enter the Fairgrounds via the Snelling entrance (Eastside) go straight for two blocks and make a right (North) and proceed to the Progress Center.

Parking: Free Parking abounds! Just make sure to pay attention to the street signs!
Handicapped parking is available!

Hello Everyone,

The 2009 MicroCon Comic Book Party is this Sunday!

The staff and the volunteers of the Midwest Comic Book Association are happy to announce all systems are go for this weekends MCBA Comic Book Party! Things are looking great and you’ll be happy to know that there have been some very cool last minute Guest Creator additions (like Mike Grell – www.mikegrell.com), a few dealer changes and the number of prizes and surprises continues to grow!

While at MicroCon, please make sure that you get entered into this years MicroCon Prize Drawings! We’ve had some terrific prize donations!It’s free and you need not be present to win. Also, keep in mind that the first 500 attendess get a free MCBA Grab bag!

You, your family & friends are invited to join us, our family & friends at the MicroCon Comic Book Party! It’s going to be a blast!

Finally, we’ve update some of the information listed below. We hope you get a chance to look it over!

Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

The MCBA Comic Book Geek Squad – The “Original” Geek Squad!

PS. We received a last minute appeal to come to the aid of a comic book industry legend. (Please see immediately below). Let’s step up and show him what we can do!

A PLEA FOR HELP – AN INDUSTRY LEGEND NEEDS US!
WeinAs many of you already know, the home of comics creator Len Wein (Swamp Thing, X-Men, etc.) was destroyed in a fire on April 6th, 2009. He, his wife Chris, and his son Michael were unharmed, but their beloved dog Sheba and Len’s extensive comics collection both perished.

There is now an effort to restore Len’s comics collection, particularly the books he worked on. If you’ve ever gotten pleasure From reading his books, or if you simply have some of these titles in your collection, please consider donating them to this cause. Insurance covers many things, but the comics weren’t under that umbrella.

Here’s how you can help:
* Please check the .pdf document listed below.
* Search your comics collection for items you can contribute.
* E-mail comix4len@povonline.com with the items you intend to donate
(so they can update the list).
* Bring them to the MCBA Spring Show, and hand them to either Christopher Jones or Melissa Kaercher. They will both have table space at the show.
* We will take it from there!

Other things you want to know:
Mark Evanier (POVOnline) is coordinating the effort. Please check this page on his site for updates: http://www.povonline.com/weinproject.htm

The .pdf document of comics can be found on that page, but this is the direct link. It will be updated frequently: http://www.povonline.com/Len%20Wein%20checklist.pdf

If you have questions, you can contact any of the following people:
Melissa Kaercher chebutykin at visi.com Christopher Jones christopherjonesart at gmail.com
Mark Evanier comix4len at povonline.com

We thank you for your help! Melissa Kaercher & Christopher Jones

St. Paul Cartoonist Conspiracy Jam! This Thursday, April 16th, 2009!

Join the St. Paul Cartoonist Conspiracy Cell and create a jam comic! It’s easy and fun! Just bring some drawing utensils, an idea for the jam, and a few bucks to get a tasty beverage — the baristas really do appreciate that.

The jam will start promptly at 6:30 and run until…whenever.

The meetings are open to anyone who wants to draw with us, and the results are posted here sooner rather than later.

To join us come to:
Cosmic’s Coffee Shoppe
189 Snelling Ave N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(Northwest corner of Snelling and Selby)

More not than often we head on over to grab a brew at:
O’Gara’s Bar and Grill
164 Snelling Ave N
St. Paul, MN 55104
(Southeast corner of Snelling and Selby)

Bus info here.

Any questions? Ideas for the jam? Please discuss on our message board.

We hope to see you!

MICROCON 2009 Coming Up Fast (April 26th)

MICROCON is coming up very soon. Our good friends at the Midwest Comic Book Association always put on a great show, and are wonderful hosts to creators… as is true every year, you won’t want to miss it! Read more about MICROCON here.

Here is a banner you can put on your website or social networking page to help promote the event… and remember to tell your friends!

Hello Everyone,

It’s hard to believe that the 2009 MicroCon Comic Book Party is just a few weeks away!

During our never ending Winter, the staff and volunteers of the Midwest Comic Book Association, an all volunteer, not-for-profit, group have been happily working away and getting ready for the launch of the super spectacular MicroCon 2009!

Look for some changes in this years event! Every year MicroCon grows and evolves and this year is no exception! The Guest Creator list is bigger, the Dealer list is more diverse, the layout of MicroCon is different (so make sure you get a chance to look around the whole place!), and we’ve added some unusual goings on!

And while change and growth is good, somethings at MicroCon are staying the same! As always, look for friendly staff, easy Guest Creator access, hundreds of prizes & grab bags, a terrific 55,000 square foot marketplace, a world of surprises and much more!

What we’re really trying to say is that we’re inviting you and your family/friends join us at the MicroCon Comic Book Party! The only thing cooler than doing something fun, is sharing the fun with someone else or with your community and we love being part of that community!

MicroCon is a Comic Book Party where everyone is welcome and there’s something for everyone!

Finally, as promised, here’s some new information about the “One Day Wonder!” and a couple of other related factoids laced with comic book shenanigans!

Thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you soon!

The MCBA Comic Book Geek Squad – The “Original” Geek Squad!

MCBA MICROCON COMIC BOOK PARTY
SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2009 – 10AM TO 4PM

THE PROGRESS CENTER – ON THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGROUNDS!

1621 Randall Avenue – Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108

One of the oldest and by far, coolest buildings on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds!

Directions: Enter the Fairgrounds via the Snelling entrance (Eastside) go straight for two blocks and make a right (North) and proceed to the Progress Center.

Parking: Free Parking abounds! Just make sure to pay attention to the street signs!
Handicapped parking is available!

Ghost Comics Release Party (May 23rd)

I’m going to steal this post entirely from local hero Kevin Cannon at the Big Time Attic blog… I didn’t know you could get a Xeric grant for anthologies… everyone please make note of that!!!

Ed Choy Moorman is throwing a book release party for his Xeric-winning anthology, GHOST COMICS, and you’re invited.

I’ve got a four page story called The Architecturons inside, and other contributors include Zak Sally, Will Dinski, Sarah Morean, Jeffrey Brown, John Hankiewicz, John Porcellino, Reynold Kissling… and too many more to name. Actually, the complete list is here.

Ghost Comics Book Release Party
Sat. May 23, 4 PM
(Signing / event begins)
5 PM bands start
8:30 PM movie screening (bring a blanket!)
Arise! Bookstore backyard
2441 Lyndale Ave. S., MPLS MN
All Ages & FREE!

The Xeric Award-winning Ghost Comics: A Benefit Anthology for RS Eden will be unveiled.

Artist signing 4-5 PM, bands at 5, movie at 8:30 (bring a blanket!)

All proceeds from Ghost Comics benefit local substance abuse treatment facility RS Eden.

Featuring music by:
Bla Bla Blacksheep
Lambs of God
the Ex-Lovers
Teenage Moods

Pink Hobo Paper Toy and Popout Show this Saturday (April 18th) at PINK HOBO in Minneapolis

Our good friends at Puny Entertainment have their new PINK HOBO gallery opening this weekend… so, with the Altered Esthetics 5th Anniversary show on Friday, if you’re in the Twin Cities, it looks like your whole weekend is planned!

Their first show is the Paper Toy and Popout show… and it looks like it will be quite a show from the impressive and international line-up of artists… they are launching with a big bang. You’ll also want to check out their extremely fun-looking line-up of upcoming shows for the rest of the year.

PINK HOBO’S PAPER TOY AND POP-OUT SHOW
where: PINK HOBO 507 East Hennepin Ave
day: Saturday, April 18
time: 7pm – late

More Info:
pinkhobo.com
facebook & twitter.

Altered Esthetics 5th Anniversary Show This Friday (April 17th) In Minneapolis

Reposting as a reminder… hope to see you all there!

The Cartoonist Conspiracy is immensely fortunate to have found Altered Esthetics gallery to collaborate with. A non-profit, community and artist centered gallery, we have collaborated with them on the Eric Lappegard Benefit and Lutefisk Sushi Volume C, and this Summer we will be working with them to put together Big Funny (submissions due May First!).

Mark your calendars, because next month is Altered Esthetics fifth birthday, and to celebrate they are having a party/art show/fundraiser April 17th!

They are requesting wood-themed art donations for their fifth ‘wood’ anniversary. Find out the details of how you can donate art to them here.

One other very cool way you can contribute is by donating art to be in the Art Vending Machine
… mini-comics seem made for this.

Please consider donating art, and please let them know the Conspiracy sent you!

Celebrate Ae!

alteredesthetics.org/fiveyears

April 2009 marks our fifth birthday! We’re having a giant celebration to commemorate the occasion, in conjunction with our Spring Fundraiser.

Please join us on April 17, 2009 for a celebration and fundraiser featuring:

– A wood-themed art exhibition and silent auction
– A raffle with awesome prizes and goods from local businesses
– Live music
– Refreshments
– Wood themed games
– Awesome company
– And more!

Schedule of Awesomeness
5:00pm: Raffle, Silent Auction, Games, DJ
9:00pm: Silent Auction and Raffle ends, winners announced
9:30pm: Live music begins, festivities continue, the people rejoice.

Kaczynski and Sally Talk MOME, and MCAD Mini-Comics Expo Tonight! (April 9th)

From Tom Kaczynski’s Transatlantis blog:

The MOMEntum exhibition is drawing to a close, but before it’s over me and Zak Sally are giving a Gallery Talk about the show. So come to MCAD tonight at 6:30 pm and see me stumble around the gallery trying to sound articulate. Apparently MCAD is holding their annual Mini-Comics Expo at the same time.

Erik Nelson…cartoonist…plumber!

pro1

Hey Minneapolis cartoonists…

A couple Saturdays ago I discovered a leak in my basement, so I turned to our old friend the Google search for a plumber.  Somehow this lead me to www.eriknelsonplumbing.com .

Anyway, I called Erik and he agreed to waste a Saturday fixing my ancient plumbing…FOR MONEY!!!

AND HE’LL FIX YOUR PLUMBING FOR MONEY TOO! And he’ll do an AMAZING job at reasonable rates (and for anyone who has actually had to pay for a plumber, you’ll understand how important that is).

Why post about this on the Conspiracy website? Cause as it turned out not only was Erik a plumber, but he had attended his first Cartoonist Conspiracy (MPLS cell) meeting a few weeks earlier!

Crazy small world.

So remember…when you’re in need of COMICS, check out www.nelsonerik.com

And when you need a PLUMBER, check out www.eriknelsonplumbing.com

Erik happily provides both.

He’ll also provide to world soon a new comic WALKABOUT #1–check ou his website  for more info.